The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-27
FARM NOTES.

A Texas newspaper says that there sre
only 80 600 Texas cattle under contract for
the trail, against 10000 a year ago, and
that cattle which sold for $50 three years
ago only bring $33 now. The reason as
signed for this is that the up-country
grazers, instead of buying cattle for breed
ing purposes, now take only iattening
steers, which will bring them quick re.
turns.
There is 8 strange mortality among the
choice horses in Kentucky. On March %,
a brood mare belonging TO Hon. James II.
Mulligan, by War Dance, and in foal to
LeOnatuS, died. Five thousand dollars had
been refused for her. In King Ban, Herr
Wilkes and the War Dance mare $4,000
worth Of horsefiesh was lost.
A consignment of Aberdeen Angus cattle,
consisting of six yearling bulls four cows
with heifer calves and two two-year old
heifeYs recently left Liverpool for Buenos
Ayres.
When attempting to raise calves on
skinned milk the most important point
is to see that, for the first few weeks, the
milk is at the right temperature. Itshould
be very near $50, or blood heat, and it is
best to try it with the thermometer, as
ones finger test is liable to error, and a va
ration Of but few degrees may cause
trouble while the calf is young.
For lame sheep apply the following with
a sWab tied on a stick: Muriatic acid,
Two ounces; butyr OF anthony, two
ounces; white vitTol, one ounce. Pulverizs
and mix.
The Kerry cattle are beginning to attract
much attention from American breeders.
The well-known hardness and good milk
ing qualities of this little breed, as well as
the very excellent quality of the meat pro-
duced, combined with their thrift on poor,
coarse fare and in bleak, exposed situa-
tons, render them valuable for sec ions 50
situated.
The famous Irish steeple-chaser LIBERIA
tor, who won the Grand National in 1879,
and who has started in the same race near
ly every race since then, is now doing
farm work. When geldings become unfit
for racing their fall is great one. In this
country Checkmate, once great racer, is
used as one of an omnibus team, and Pa
role, the hero Of two continents, is used as
a saddle horse.
An English gardener states that the roots
OF trees may be prevented from entering
between the Joints of drain tiles by using
coal tar. In using it, mix it with sawdust
to the consistency Of ordinary building
mortar. A layer of this should be spread
on the bottom of the drain; on this set the
drain pipes, and then cover all over with
the tar mortar. Ii the work be carefully
performed, and the mortar applied in SUIT
| ficient quantity-say one and one-haif
inches thick all round-success may be
| guaranteed.
A new industry is being established in
| South Staffordshire, England, in connec-
| ton with the steel trade. A complete plant
| has Just been laid down at the works of the
| Staffordsbire Steel and Ingot Iron Com
pany, Bilston, for the grinding OF basic Stag
| for agricultural fertilizing purposes. A
slag-house, 40 long by 90 feet, has been
| built for the accommodation of grinding
machinery. The process is divided into
| three stages. The last completely pulver-
| ICES the Stag, making it of such fineness
| that it will pass through mesh OF 10000
| holes to the square inch. The Stag, being
| composed of 10 per cent. of lime, and from
Is to 20 per cent of phosphoric acid, its
value as an agricultural fertilizer is becom-
| ing increasingly appreciated.
The South Australian Registers returns
| in connection with the wheat harvest in
that colony show that the net increase OF
| cultivated land is 10000 acres, the total
area being 1,097, 900 acres, yielding 10, $780,
| 600 bushels, or five bushels thirty-one
| pounds per acre. After deducting 1000, 900
bushels for seed and 1,732, 500 bushels for
food the surplus for EXPORT is estimated at
| 7.103, 500 bushels or 100, 600 shipping tons.
| This is 115, 600 tons more than last years
exports, but $50. 600 tons less than in 1885.
| The two last seasons together did not yield
as much as 1884 and 1885 by $4,000 tons.
| If each of the lest two seasons had been
equal to those of 1884 and 1885 the colony
would have been richer by 64,5O0,0OO.
A foreign scientific paper gives the fol-
| lowing method of making artificial whet-
stones: Gelatine OF good quality is dis
| solved in its own weight OF water, the OPP
Grafton being conducted in a dark room.
To the solution l = per cent. of bichromate
of potash is added, which has been pre-
| viously dissolved in a little water. A
/ quantity OF very fine emery, equal to nine
| times the weight of the gelatine, is inti-
] mately mixed with the gelatine solution.